What would you like to see from 2025's Companions?

Juomuuri

Some types I'd enjoy for the remaining three playable races:

Nord:
- A stocky no-nonsense grandma who specializes in cooking stuff. She would give you a passive that gives some kind of bonus to food buffs or extra food items while crafting, or perhaps better chance at dropping purple provisioning recipes.

Orc:
- A friendly healer who looks rather scrawny for an orc. He'd give a passive where you have a chance to receive a container from looting some type of mob, maybe a delve boss, and you'd get one piece of companion gear out of it, randomized of course, but would always be blue or rarely purple.

Bosmer:
- A stealthy and serious archer who is a former Vinedusk Ranger perhaps. Her passive would be related to hunting, and you'd get a rare chance to loot a treasure item from beasts (wolves, bears etc) that's a purple quality pelt that sells for 1k gold.

JemadarofCaerSalis

Syldras wrote: »

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

Yeah, it could be that they might double Altmer, though I have the feeling if they do do another double race, it will be argonian.

Probably.

And even if they made a male Altmer, chances are he's not what many people wish for. Could be grandpa age, have a long full beard, could be balding... I mean, I might find on old Altmer Sapiarch interesting storywise (I also found Magister Meln awesome), so as a bonus or at some later point - sure. But especially since they once said they also have companion romance in mind, and only release 2 companions per year, that's not quite it.

This is why I really want a customizable companion. That way *I* can determine what I want them to be.

They could even give good quests for a customizable companion. After all, look at how many video games start out with allowing the player to basically customize their character, yet they still take that character on a journey that tells that character's story.

Look at how morrowind creation kit set things up. There were placeholders and you could have branching responses depending on a variety of factors. So they could just bring up different responses depending on race/gender/class that the user picks for their companion.

For names, they could just do what the NPCs already do to the player character: never refer to the companion by name. Just use some sort of pet name/nickname for it.

It wouldn't necessarily please everyone, but I know I would be pleased.

Erickson9610

Here's a few ideas, which may not necessarily involve any particular race, class, or skill set:
- A prospector whose non-combat perk allows you to find more trait materials (such as Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, etc) for use in crafting whenever you mine a Blacksmithing or Jewelry Crafting node.
- A werewolf who struggles with their conflicting identity as a Templar with Lycanthropy, who comes to terms with their newfound affliction with the aid of the player, in whom they've found true companionship and a "pack" of their own.
- An Alliance War veteran who has access to the Support and Assault skill lines for Companions. Possibly another Imperial, to not place bias on any of the three alliances. Maybe they comment on the player if they've ever become Emperor.

Syldras

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

This is why I really want a customizable companion. That way *I* can determine what I want them to be.
They could even give good quests for a customizable companion. After all, look at how many video games start out with allowing the player to basically customize their character, yet they still take that character on a journey that tells that character's story.
Look at how morrowind creation kit set things up. There were placeholders and you could have branching responses depending on a variety of factors. So they could just bring up different responses depending on race/gender/class that the user picks for their companion.
For names, they could just do what the NPCs already do to the player character: never refer to the companion by name. Just use some sort of pet name/nickname for it.
It wouldn't necessarily please everyone, but I know I would be pleased.

I think it would be a nice concept. I'm not sure though whether ZOS would really take the efforts to do that.

In the end we can suggest all we want, they either care - or they do not.

It's still really baffling they didn't release one companion per race before doubling one - I thought that would have been the big consensus in the forum that everyone could have lived with. I would have been fine with them releasing an Orc and a Nord this year, even if I don't care much for both of these races - but at least it would be something for the Orc and Nord fans that got nothing yet (although the most fair solution would have been a "typical" elf, meaning Bosmer or Altmer, + Nord or Orc; one mage, one fighter; and at least one male, one female - I think no one would have truly protested then).

Necrotech_Master

what i would want in a future (or current) companions: allow bypassing the intro quest if you have done it before

that is my biggest pet peeve with companions is that we have to the ridiculous intro quests on every character, and every year they have gotten longer and longer

outside of that i really enjoy the companions and would prefer to see more argonians

JemadarofCaerSalis

Syldras wrote: »

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

This is why I really want a customizable companion. That way *I* can determine what I want them to be.
They could even give good quests for a customizable companion. After all, look at how many video games start out with allowing the player to basically customize their character, yet they still take that character on a journey that tells that character's story.
Look at how morrowind creation kit set things up. There were placeholders and you could have branching responses depending on a variety of factors. So they could just bring up different responses depending on race/gender/class that the user picks for their companion.
For names, they could just do what the NPCs already do to the player character: never refer to the companion by name. Just use some sort of pet name/nickname for it.
It wouldn't necessarily please everyone, but I know I would be pleased.

I think it would be a nice concept. I'm not sure though whether ZOS would really take the efforts to do that.

In the end we can suggest all we want, they either care - or they do not.

It's still really baffling they didn't release one companion per race before doubling one - I thought that would have been the big consensus in the forum that everyone could have lived with. I would have been fine with them releasing an Orc and a Nord this year, even if I don't care much for both of these races - but at least it would be something for the Orc and Nord fans that got nothing yet (although the most fair solution would have been a "typical" elf, meaning Bosmer or Altmer, + Nord or Orc; one mage, one fighter; and at least one male, one female - I think no one would have truly protested then).

Yeah, it is nice to dream occasionally.

Artim_X

Can I get a vampire companion next or even better can I turn a max affinity companion into a vampire. Let me build a coven! 🧛‍♂️ 🧛‍♀️

Darkmage1337

Races: Wood Elf, Nord, and Orc.
Classes: Werewolf and Vampire.
Pick any of the above.
We just got neither.....

Sure, a High Elf was added... with a class that we already have. (Dragonknight.)
Sure, a Necromancer was added... with a race that we already have. (Khajiit.)
Why were these roles not reversed? Someone needs a lesson on permutations.

Erickson9610

Darkmage1337 wrote: »

Races: Wood Elf, Nord, and Orc.
Classes: Werewolf and Vampire.
Pick any of the above.
We just got neither.....

Sure, a High Elf was added... with a class that we already have. (Dragonknight.)
Sure, a Necromancer was added... with a race that we already have. (Khajiit.)
Why were these roles not reversed? Someone needs a lesson on permutations.

I wouldn't say Werewolf and Vampire are real "classes". I'd imagine those would be supplementary skill lines added separately from the Class skill lines. In other words, it'd make more sense to see another Nightblade, but one who also has the Vampire skill line, so that they can use both Nightblade and Vampire skills, rather than just one or the other.

Personally, I think having each Companion either repeat a race or a class was a smart decision. If one of them was both a repeated race and class, people would single them out for being undesirable, while praising the other. As it stands now, the Companions are both familiar but different in their own ways.

Wolfkeks

Low-key want a Maomer companion.

Class wise they could give the companion a new class, maybe a druid like from high isle?

Kaelalas

I'd love to see a female bosmer and maybe a male orc. It'd be amazing if one of the companions was this super big, super buff orc guy who's actually a pacifist. Just imagine this giant orc frollicking along with butterflies, espousing stuff about friendship and kittens and baking cookies.

Also, I REALLY want the ability to apply collectible hair styles to companions. This has been such a highly requested QOL, but their reasoning for not doing it just doesn't seem to stick the landing for me. I get that companions are supposed to be unique and have their own personalities and stuff, but changing hair styles is a pretty common thing for people to do. Plus, we can already change a companion's outfit and outfit colors- so what, we can tell our companions what clothes they are allowed to wear, but Heaven forbid we tell them to get a haircut? I love Mirri, but her low-poly hairstyle is a sin in my eyes.

JemadarofCaerSalis

Kaelalas wrote: »

I'd love to see a female bosmer and maybe a male orc. It'd be amazing if one of the companions was this super big, super buff orc guy who's actually a pacifist. Just imagine this giant orc frollicking along with butterflies, espousing stuff about friendship and kittens and baking cookies.

Also, I REALLY want the ability to apply collectible hair styles to companions. This has been such a highly requested QOL, but their reasoning for not doing it just doesn't seem to stick the landing for me. I get that companions are supposed to be unique and have their own personalities and stuff, but changing hair styles is a pretty common thing for people to do. Plus, we can already change a companion's outfit and outfit colors- so what, we can tell our companions what clothes they are allowed to wear, but Heaven forbid we tell them to get a haircut? I love Mirri, but her low-poly hairstyle is a sin in my eyes.

I was thinking something about this while running around one of the zones trying to finish out my sticker book.

A pacifist who gets upset, and loses rapport, if you do *anything* combat related. Good luck keeping good rapport with that one :P

On the flip side (and this was the original thought) a companion who is so gung *** for combat, that any sort of fight gains rapport for them. Doesn't matter if it is destroying rats, or going after daedric princes. A fight is a fight. That one should gain max rapport in about a day? Maybe a bit more for those who don't fight as often.

Also, yes, collectible hair styles, and trinkets and whatever else we have.

I also don't really buy the excuse of 'they are their own personalities', because, to me at least, that is implying that cosmetic features is intrinsic to personality. Race, sex and class? Sure, I can see how that would shape their personality. But Mirri having long flowing red locks? I don't really see that impacting her personality all that much. Giving them glowing contact lenses? Again, I don't see eye color as defining my personality, though maybe I just haven't looked into it as much.

I would also buy the 'supposed to be unique' more if there were dozens of each companion running around after various vestiges. *shrugs* that is just me though.

Marronsuisse

I want a handsome male Altmer with the personality of Rigurt the Brash. Like a big dumb Golden Retriever but it's a big dumb golden elf. With terrible jokes.

I would take good care of him I promise. 🥺

Syldras

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

A pacifist who gets upset, and loses rapport, if you do *anything* combat related. Good luck keeping good rapport with that one :P

It might function if you only use that companion while crafting or gathering mats or similar activities, but if that character has to be leveled to 20 somehow to gain the achievement and permanent bonus - well, good luck! They only level through combat.

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

I also don't really buy the excuse of 'they are their own personalities', because, to me at least, that is implying that cosmetic features is intrinsic to personality. Race, sex and class? Sure, I can see how that would shape their personality. But Mirri having long flowing red locks? I don't really see that impacting her personality all that much.

I'd get really unfriendly if someone even suggested cutting my hair off Of course it's not something that defines someone's personality, but it is an aspect people often feel strongly about, even more than about clothing. One might find some type of clothing looks stupid, but at least it's not permanent or long-term to wear stupid clothes, compared to cutting hair off. So from a roleplay perspective, I do understand it. The question is whether it has to be taken that seriously when it comes to ESO companions. Being able to change hairstyles would help reducing clones. Or let us give them hats or helmets, at least.

Necrotech_Master

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

Kaelalas wrote: »

I'd love to see a female bosmer and maybe a male orc. It'd be amazing if one of the companions was this super big, super buff orc guy who's actually a pacifist. Just imagine this giant orc frollicking along with butterflies, espousing stuff about friendship and kittens and baking cookies.

Also, I REALLY want the ability to apply collectible hair styles to companions. This has been such a highly requested QOL, but their reasoning for not doing it just doesn't seem to stick the landing for me. I get that companions are supposed to be unique and have their own personalities and stuff, but changing hair styles is a pretty common thing for people to do. Plus, we can already change a companion's outfit and outfit colors- so what, we can tell our companions what clothes they are allowed to wear, but Heaven forbid we tell them to get a haircut? I love Mirri, but her low-poly hairstyle is a sin in my eyes.

I was thinking something about this while running around one of the zones trying to finish out my sticker book.

A pacifist who gets upset, and loses rapport, if you do *anything* combat related. Good luck keeping good rapport with that one :P

On the flip side (and this was the original thought) a companion who is so gung *** for combat, that any sort of fight gains rapport for them. Doesn't matter if it is destroying rats, or going after daedric princes. A fight is a fight. That one should gain max rapport in about a day? Maybe a bit more for those who don't fight as often.

Also, yes, collectible hair styles, and trinkets and whatever else we have.

I also don't really buy the excuse of 'they are their own personalities', because, to me at least, that is implying that cosmetic features is intrinsic to personality. Race, sex and class? Sure, I can see how that would shape their personality. But Mirri having long flowing red locks? I don't really see that impacting her personality all that much. Giving them glowing contact lenses? Again, I don't see eye color as defining my personality, though maybe I just haven't looked into it as much.

I would also buy the 'supposed to be unique' more if there were dozens of each companion running around after various vestiges. *shrugs* that is just me though.

even if the companion got negative rapport from killing anything, you could do whatever daily quests make them happy (the ones that give +150 rapport) and pretty much negate all of the negative rapport

i stopped caring about negative rapport on companions a long time ago when the negative rapport is like -1, -5 but the positive is +150 lol

GothGamerGirl369

A Nord Werewolf companion and a High Elf Vampire companion were both two major missed opportunities.

Erickson9610

GothGamerGirl369 wrote: »

A Nord Werewolf companion and a High Elf Vampire companion were both two major missed opportunities.

Those could definitely still happen in the future! Maybe the Nord is a Dragonknight Werewolf and the Altmer is a Sorcerer Vampire? If we wanted the Companions to be cliché archetypes, we'd ask for a Bosmer Warden Werewolf and an Altmer Nightblade Vampire.

JemadarofCaerSalis

Syldras wrote: »

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

A pacifist who gets upset, and loses rapport, if you do *anything* combat related. Good luck keeping good rapport with that one :P

It might function if you only use that companion while crafting or gathering mats or similar activities, but if that character has to be leveled to 20 somehow to gain the achievement and permanent bonus - well, good luck! They only level through combat.

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

I also don't really buy the excuse of 'they are their own personalities', because, to me at least, that is implying that cosmetic features is intrinsic to personality. Race, sex and class? Sure, I can see how that would shape their personality. But Mirri having long flowing red locks? I don't really see that impacting her personality all that much.

I'd get really unfriendly if someone even suggested cutting my hair off Of course it's not something that defines someone's personality, but it is an aspect people often feel strongly about, even more than about clothing. One might find some type of clothing looks stupid, but at least it's not permanent or long-term to wear stupid clothes, compared to cutting hair off. So from a roleplay perspective, I do understand it. The question is whether it has to be taken that seriously when it comes to ESO companions. Being able to change hairstyles would help reducing clones. Or let us give them hats or helmets, at least.

I forgot about leveling, but yeah, I originally started out with the idea of the companion who gained rapport through any battles at all, instead of just against specific enemeies, and then thought of this companion after. I was also thinking that there wouldn't be a cooldown between their rapport changes, so if you killed three enemies, you would lose whatever X 3. (with the one who gained, it would a gain of that)

Yeah, I understand about individuals, and how personal expression can work, in the real world.

My issue is that these are NPCs whose personalities have already been set, and as far as I can tell, none of them have anything about their personal looks being part of their quests or personalities.

It can even be done from a role play perspective by having the companions potentially remark, or have something along these lines, about them making the choice to change their hair (something like 'I have always wanted to try a different hair style, does this suit me?', where it implies that we didn't change the hair, but rather they chose to change their own hairstyle). They could also put junk trinkets in the game that relate to hair growth and/or hair prevention (I mean, after all, you can run around for months and not need to shave). Or just imply that the hair styles are wigs and not actually changing their hair.

I just feel that there are ways around it from a roleplay persepective, and it would be fascinating if they explored them just a bit more.

SilverBride

LaintalAy wrote: »

Please, no. They'll take it the extra step and call him 'Fabio'...

There is a reason that Fabio was a sex symbol. Besides being handsome and built very nicely, the long flowing hair was the kicker.

(I met Fabio once. True story.)

Syldras

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

It can even be done from a role play perspective by having the companions potentially remark, or have something along these lines, about them making the choice to change their hair (something like 'I have always wanted to try a different hair style, does this suit me?', where it implies that we didn't change the hair, but rather they chose to change their own hairstyle).

Yes, by changing the dialogue accordingly, this certainly could be done, good idea. I'm fine with everything that reduces the sighting of companion clones, really!

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

(I mean, after all, you can run around for months and not need to shave)

But we can't remove body hair at all It might be a very minor thing, but I actually find it a little annoying I can't use some costumes on my main because the skin texture is very hairy by default and can't be changed. It just doesn't fit him.

JemadarofCaerSalis

Syldras wrote: »

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

It can even be done from a role play perspective by having the companions potentially remark, or have something along these lines, about them making the choice to change their hair (something like 'I have always wanted to try a different hair style, does this suit me?', where it implies that we didn't change the hair, but rather they chose to change their own hairstyle).

Yes, by changing the dialogue accordingly, this certainly could be gone, good idea. I'm fine with everything that reduces the sighting of companion clones, really!

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

(I mean, after all, you can run around for months and not need to shave)

But we can't remove body hair at all It might be a very minor thing, but I actually find it a little annoying I can't use some costumes on my main because the skin texture is very hairy by default and can't be changed. It just doesn't fit him.

I hadn't realized exactly how hairy the bodies are (maybe it has to do with my graphics setting, but I never noticed it) but yeah, there should be ways to remove body hair.

LaintalAy

SilverBride wrote: »

LaintalAy wrote: »

Please, no. They'll take it the extra step and call him 'Fabio'...

There is a reason that Fabio was a sex symbol. Besides being handsome and built very nicely, the long flowing hair was the kicker.

(I meet Fabio once. True story.)

I am prohibited from discussing hair.

Syldras

What's a Fabio, btw?

SilverBride

Syldras wrote: »

What's a Fabio, btw?

He was a model for the cover of many romance novels several years ago.

LaintalAy

The next companion could be like this:



An old man in an expensive dress. If you need a label, "Not Butter" comes to mind.

Syldras

LaintalAy wrote: »

An old man in an expensive dress.

Description sounds like an Altmer Sapiarch. They usually show less cleavage, though.

Wolfkeks

New crate season got me thinking... Would love a werewolf assassin character. Someone who is a bit more evil (or morally grey 🩶). Maybe a companion that was part of the dark brotherhood.

SickleCider

ApoAlaia wrote: »

I would love a crow companion from The Blackfeather Court.

This!

Vaqual

Treeshka wrote: »

One fully customizable companion. Race, class and everything. Story wise they can give something generic for whatever we choose as race and gender.

This would also be my first preference.

Alternatively, they could consider making Skyrim-like mercs, basically fully leveled and geared companions for hire, following you for a certain period of time. No deep dialogue needed, just a few generic lines. No rapport earnable, no fancy passives. Just for people who can't be bothered to unlock them and to add some flavour. Hired companions will only expire upon changing zones, to avoid losing them in combat or inside a dungeon, as that would possibly defeat the last X minutes on the timer.

These could be offered at taverns, guilds and political factions. Maybe place 1-3 in each major hub.

Expanding on that, they could integrate some acquaintances from story quests as mercs, depending on story progression.

Ideally, they bring all of this at some point.

Erickson9610

I wonder if ZOS has a backlog of character ideas they're considering for future Companions, or if those ideas are formulated on or just before the year of their implementation.

I remember from the Companions Q&A that some Companions were characters before they were given a Class, while others had a Class in mind before their characters were fleshed out. I'm willing to bet that the Dragonknight with Soul Magic skills is partially the result of wanting a reason to make Soul Magic Companion skills.

Now that every Class is covered, I wonder what ZOS will do for future Companions. My bet is they'll make Companion versions of other Class skills which didn't make the cut for the initial Companions. Maybe we'll see more skill lines be given Companion versions, like perhaps Psijic Order or Assault/Support.

I'm hoping ZOS eventually comes around to see the Werewolf and Vampire skill lines and either finds an appropriate character in their backlog to give those skill lines to, or creates a compelling character with those skill lines in mind.